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*sb0203*
SENATE BILL 203
M3 6lr0073
(PRE–FILED) CF HB 252
By: Chair, Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee (By Request –
Departmental – Environment)
Requested: September 25, 2025
Introduced and read first time: January 14, 2026
Assigned to: Education, Energy, and the Environment
Committee Report: Favorable
Senate action: Adopted
Read second time: February 12, 2026
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Environment – Lead Paint Abatement Services – Performance Bond and 2
Liability Insurance 3
FOR the purpose of authorizing certain regulations adopted by the Department of the 4
Environment to include certain requirements for any person who is accredited by the 5
Department to provide lead paint abatement services to be covered by a performance 6
bond or liability insurance; and generally relating to lead paint abatement services. 7
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 8
Article – Environment 9
Section 6–1001 and 6–1002 10
Annotated Code of Maryland 11
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 12
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 13
Article – Environment 14
Section 6–1003 15
Annotated Code of Maryland 16
(2013 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 17
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 18
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 19
2 SENATE BILL 203
Article – Environment 1
6–1001. 2
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 3
(b) “Abatement” means a set of measures that eliminate or reduce lead –based 4
paint hazards in residential, public, or commercial buildings, bridges, or other structures 5
or superstructures in accordance with standards established by the Department which may 6
include: 7
(1) The removal of lead –based paint and lead –contaminated dust, the 8
containment or encapsulation of lead –based paint, the replacement or demolition of 9
lead–painted surfaces or fixtures, and the removal or covering of lead–contaminated soil; 10
(2) All preparation, cleanup, disposal, and postabatement clearance testing 11
activities associated with these measures; and 12
(3) The renovation, repair, and painting of a lead–containing substance in 13
a residential, public, or commercial building built before 1978. 14
(c) “Lead containing substance” means: 15
(1) Any paint, plaster, or surface encapsulation material containing more 16
than 0.50 percent lead by weight calculated as lead metal in the dried solid or more than 17
0.7 milligrams lead per square centimeter as measured by an X–ray fluorescence analyzer; 18
or 19
(2) Such other standards consistent with an applicable federal definition 20
as the Department may set by regulation. 21
(d) “Person” includes any public or municipal corporation, or any agency, bureau, 22
department, or instrumentality of federal, State, or local government. 23
(e) “Provide lead paint abatement services” means to engage in the risk 24
assessment, inspection, or abatement of lead–containing substances. 25
6–1002. 26
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of thi s section, unless the person is 27
accredited by the Department under this subtitle, a person may not: 28
(1) Act as a contractor or supervisor for the purpose of providing lead paint 29
abatement services; 30
(2) Provide training to others who provide lead paint abatement services; 31
or 32
SENATE BILL 203 3
(3) Engage in the inspection of lead–based paint hazards. 1
(b) The Department shall, by regulation, create exceptions to the accreditation 2
requirement for instances where the disturbance of lead –containing substance is 3
incidental. 4
(c) An individual who acts only as a worker or project designer need not be 5
accredited, but must be trained. 6
6–1003. 7
(a) The Department shall adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this 8
subtitle. 9
(b) Regulations adopted under this subtitle may include: 10
(1) Initial and continuing standards and procedures for accreditation, 11
including education, training, examination, and job performance standards; 12
(2) Standards and procedures for renewal of accreditation; 13
(3) Standards and procedures for modification, suspension, or revocation of 14
accreditation; 15
(4) Different standards and procedures for different lead paint abatement 16
services; 17
(5) Standards and procedures for abatement involving the renovation, 18
repair, and painting of lead–containing substances, including a requirement for lead–dust 19
testing; 20
(6) Recognition of accreditation or similar approvals of persons by other 21
governmental entities; [and] 22
(7) REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS ACCREDITED BY THE 23
DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE LEAD PAINT ABATEMENT SERVICES TO BE COVERED BY 24
A REASONABLE PERFORMANCE BOND OR REASONABLE LIABILITY INSURANCE; AND 25
(8) Such other provisions as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of 26
this subtitle. 27
(c) The Department shall review and revise its certification and other regulations 28
under this subtitle as necessary to ensure continued eligibility for federal funding of 29
lead–hazard activities in the State. 30
4 SENATE BILL 203
(d) The Department shall set reasonable fees for the accreditation of persons who 1
provide lead paint abatement services sufficient to cover the Department’s direct and 2
indirect costs of administering this subtitle. 3
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 4
1, 2026. 5
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.